Gonzalez headlines U.S. shrine’s nominees

Tony Gonzalez, the most accomplished tight end in NFL history, Ed Reed, Champ Bailey and London Fletcher are firstyear eligible players among the 102 modern-era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2019. Gonzalez retired in 2013 after 17 pro seasons in which he had 1,325 receptions, second to Jerry Rice on the career list. Reed and Bailey were standout defensive backs for stout units. Fletcher became a starting linebacker in St. Louis in 1999 and won a Super Bowl. A rare undrafted player to be nominated for the Hall of Fame, he missed only one start from 19992013 with the Rams, Bills and Redskins. Finalists from 2018 who are nominated again include running back Edgerrin James, receiver Isaac Bruce, offensive linemen Kevin Mawae, Steve Hutchinson, Alan Faneca and Tony Boselli, safety John Lynch and cornerback Ty Law. Voting will be held Feb. 2 before the Super Bowl in Atlanta. Inductions will be held in next August.